Between Physicality and Symbolism: Kyiv as a Contested Territory in Russian and Ukrainian Émigré Letters, 1920-1939
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Date
2018
Authors
Soroka, Mykola
Journal Title
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Abstract
The paper deals with visions of Kyiv in the writings of Russian and Ukrainian émigré
writers during the interwar period. The city became a focal point of intensive intellectual
debate whose participants regarded Kyiv not only as a place of a recent battleground
but also as a sacral place and a highly symbolic image. Within the methodological
framework of ethnic symbolism, this study attempts to explain how this physical/symbolic dichotomy was used to reinforce continuing claims for historical origin and
cultural heritage, thus serving the contemporary purpose of national identity and
political legitimacy. It also deploys the concept of displacement as a complex process
of negotiation between homeland and hostland within an émigré community - whose
sense of loss and identity crisis creates additional impetus, though in different forms,
for exploiting historical narratives.
Description
Keywords
Russian-Ukrainian relationship, ethnic symbolism, displacement, emigre writing, article
Citation
Soroka M. Iv. Between Physicality and Symbolism: Kyiv as a Contested Territory in Russian and Ukrainian Émigré Letters, 1920-1939 / Mykola Iv. Soroka // Kyiv-Mohyla Humanities Journal. - 2018. - No. 5 : Cross-Cultural Connections and Displacement in Ukraine and Beyond. - P. 143-159.